Wonderful quotes and sayings

Quotes by artists. Wonderful words from Japanese musicians.

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

In this article, we’ll introduce many memorable quotes from artists active in Japan.

When you’re going through something difficult or dealing with worries, many people lift their spirits by listening to their favorite music.

But musicians don’t just leave us with great songs—they also leave us with many wonderful words.

The quotes we’re about to share are all words that can serve as support in life.

I’m sure you’ll find something that resonates with your heart, so please take your time and enjoy.

Quotes from Artists: Lovely Words from Japanese Musicians (21–30)

When you get to this age, you start to think that, somewhere along the line, you might be betrayed—even if you really trust the other person. But no matter how much you think you might be betrayed, I feel life becomes terribly lonely if you don’t have feelings of care for others.Hyde（L’Arc～en～Ciel）

VAMPS – AHEAD

When you get to this age, you start to think that, somewhere along the line, you might be betrayed—even if you really trust the other person. But no matter how much you think you might be betrayed, I feel life becomes terribly lonely if you don’t have feelings of care for others.Hyde（L'Arc～en～Ciel）

Watch “When you get to this age, you start to think that, somewhere along the line, you might be betrayed—even if you really trust the other person. But no matter how much you think you might be betrayed, I feel life becomes terribly lonely if you don’t have feelings of care for others. Hyde (L’Arc〜en〜Ciel)” on YouTube

Hyde, the vocalist of L’Arc~en~Ciel who is also active as a solo artist and in other bands, has been a driving force in Japan’s rock scene and works with many staff and peers.

This is a famous quote of his about how to treat people.

Even while thinking you might be betrayed, you still trust the other person and act with their best interests in mind.

It may sound obvious, but it’s surprisingly hard to put into practice.

Holding this mindset likely leads to being blessed with wonderful connections that won’t betray you.

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Will you just give up easily, or will you stand up and say, “I’ll find a way to make this work”? I think the latter is easier.Namie Amuro

Namie Amuro – Chase the Chance

Will you just give up easily, or will you stand up and say, “I’ll find a way to make this work”? I think the latter is easier. Namie Amuro

Watch on YouTube: “Will you just give up easily, or will you stand up and say, ‘I’ll find a way to make this work’? I think the latter is easier. Namie Amuro.”

Rather than giving up, breaking down, and then going on living with regret and disappointment, it’s better to push through hardship and follow the path you believe in.

When someone like Namie Amuro—who has worked hard since childhood and raced through life on her talent and effort—says this, it really makes sense.

The words carry weight precisely because they come from her.

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Quotes from artists. Wonderful words from Japanese musicians (31–40)

There’s surely a reason for you to be there. Finding it—that’s what living is all about. I found mine in rock music.Sawa Yamanaka (the pillows)

the pillows / Funny Bunny

There’s surely a reason for you to be there. Finding it—that’s what living is all about. I found mine in rock music. Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows)

Watch “There’s surely a reason for you to be there. Finding it—that’s what living is all about. I found mine in rock music. Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows)” on YouTube

Don’t you ever find yourself suddenly thinking about your “worth as a person” or the “meaning of life,” especially during adolescence or when you’re struggling? It’s a theme often sung about in band lyrics, too.

This quote reminds us that life is about searching for the answers.

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The ones who ring that bell are you! Because you’re the ones working hard here!!Takashi Yamaguchi (Sambomaster)

“We’ve gotta do what seems impossible” / Sambomaster

The ones who ring that bell are you! Because you’re the ones working hard here!! Takashi Yamaguchi (Sambomaster)

Watch “The ones who ring that bell are you! Because you’re the ones working hard here!! Takashi Yamaguchi (Sambomaster)” on YouTube

Sambomaster is known for Takashi Yamaguchi’s passionate talks.

His MCs, where he speaks as if connecting his heart with each person in the audience, can almost bring you to tears, right? At their shows, they always affirm who you are and give you the courage to live for tomorrow.

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Call it the talent of believing in yourself or just conviction, but anyway, people who think “I might not be good enough” or “I’m just okay” are clearly weaker than those who think “I’m the strongest.” Without that kind of confidence, I don’t think I could’ve made it this far.Kiyoshiro Imawano

Slow Ballad / Kiyoshiro Imawano

Call it the talent of believing in yourself or just conviction, but in any case, people who think “I might not be good enough” or “I’m just okay” are clearly weaker than those who think “I’m the strongest.” Without that kind of confidence, I don’t think I could’ve made it this far. Kiyoshiro Imawano

Watch “Call it the talent of believing in yourself or just conviction, but anyway, people who think ‘I might not be good enough’ or ‘I’m just okay’ are clearly weaker than those who think ‘I’m the strongest.’ Without that kind of confidence, I don’t think I could’ve made it this far. Kiyoshiro Imawano” on YouTube

One’s own ability is something that’s hard to judge.

Even then, those who can think, “I’m the best,” are strong.

Even if it’s a bluff or a lie, if you believe in yourself, the path will open.

The words Kiyoshiro Imawano left behind are all warm and encouraging.

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Maybe it’s okay to choose to do something not because you have talent, but because you don’t. That’s what I think.Gen Hoshino

Gen Hoshino – Koi (Official Video)

Maybe it’s okay to choose to do something not because you have talent, but because you don’t. That’s what I think. — Gen Hoshino

Watch “Maybe it’s okay to choose to do something not because you have talent, but because you don’t. That’s what I think. Gen Hoshino” on YouTube

If you’re someone dedicated to sports, studies, or a hobby, you’ve probably had moments when you felt on the verge of giving up.

In times like those, this quote can lift you up.

These are the words of Gen Hoshino, a multi-talented singer-songwriter, actor, and author.

In fact, when he once aimed to become a writer, he was told he had “no talent,” and he left this quote as his answer to that.

Perhaps it means that persistence matters more than talent.

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Life is something that’s given to you without your choosing, so it’s okay to pursue it on your own terms. There’s a right to pursue happiness, isn’t there? That’s what I thought.Ringo Sheena

Ringo Sheena – Life Is Full of Dreams

Life is something that’s given to you without your choosing, so it’s okay to pursue it on your own terms. There’s a right to pursue happiness, isn’t there? That’s what I thought. Ringo Sheena

Watch on YouTube: “Life is something that’s given to you without your choosing, so it’s okay to pursue it on your own terms. There’s a right to pursue happiness, isn’t there? That’s what I thought. Ringo Sheena.”

No matter how many people are around you, even if you have family, in the end you have to chart your own life.

Chasing your dreams, pursuing happiness, even becoming someone’s sacrifice—ultimately, these are all choices you make yourself.

Life itself is already a lucky gift, so you might as well live it to the fullest—these are words that really lift your spirits.

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